Halloween in Transylvania 2022 How was our 8 days trip to the spooky party at Bran Castle, 10 Most Famous Romanian Women from Now and Then, 10 reasons why you should move to Romania, The ethnic mosaic is enhancing local culture, Halloween in Transylvania - 8 days tour and party at Dracula's Castle, Six days tour from Cluj-Napoca - Discover Maramures and Bucovina, Dracula Beyond the legend - 8 day tour to Transylvania, Amazing Romania - Seven day private tour from Bucharest, Dracula Castle tour by night from Bucharest. In some versions, a vrcolac is a wolf demon. So, it is believed, that in the deepest caves of the Carpathians Mountains may still live some Jidovi, protecting the treasures for generations to come. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Black is the most common colour used, but red and blue are predominant in certain areas. "Din senin de ap: Facerea Lumii" [Out of Infinite Clear Waters: The Genesis]. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We hope you liked our selection of Romanian mythical monsters. Moreover, Strigoii can cause many illnesses and eve shape-shift into were-wolfs. Blajin also means a dead child who did not receive the benediction of Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, few primary sources are currently available in English. You might want to try it. I write the history content. If you dare, scroll through this roster of scary . If people refuse to help them while they are in disguise, they bring hail and strong storms to ruin the crops. God began to grow the piece of clay into the earth, and when it was large enough that he felt he could leave it to expand in peace, he lay his head down to rest. [1]:55, The origin of mountains is explained in a number of ways by the cultures of the different regions of Romania. DEX, Romanian Academy Publishing House, Bucharest, 1998, Marian Simion Florea, Cultural Romanian Foundation Publishing House, Bucharest 1994, Michael Hitchcock (1998): Tourism, Tam An Mini, and national identity, Indonesia and the Malay World, 26:75, 124-135: 129. Long considered a venomous monstrosity, the Basilisk surfaced as a folkloric character in Europe in the Middle Ages. [1]:33. It is basically the standard form of an evil spirit. [2] The Devil tried to push him over the side, but the ever-expanding earth would hinder that. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Romanian mythology is quite impressive. The ethnograph Marian Simion Florea wrote: Blajini are fictitious beings, incarnations of dead children not baptized who live at the end of Earth, nearby The Holy water (of Saturday). It has also given rise to the Romanian saying pn ajungi la Dumnezeu, te mnnc sfinii ("before you reach God, the saints will eat you"). Earthquakes are frequently attributed to the earth slipping due to the Devil's constant gnawing at these pillars, which are rebuilt by God and his angels in times of fasting. In another version, true to the succession of Gods mentioned earlier (s. here), Jesus Christ is said to come and create a new world like his father before him. If youd like us to research and write about a particular place, get in touch! Folk creations (the best known is the ballad Mioria) were the main literary genre until the 18th century. So Ft-Frumos left them, insisting that he would roam the world and find immortality. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. Finally, his father desperately promised him youth without age and life without death. In some stories this is his true appearance, in others, he is actually a dragon-like demon who simply takes on this visage. In various regions of the country, the Solomonars are divided into two categories: good and evil. But if you spot them, dont linger. A fascinating post. There you have it! Music and dance represent a lively part of the Romanian folklore and there are a great variety of musical genres and dances. Of course, redheads are also considered very suspicious. Absolutely fascinating Pat.. thanks for the amazing background and I love the explanation of Genesisxx, Cheering your visit, Sally Even if they did or did not exist, they left us beautiful stories about their way of living. Sometimes good, sometimes a bit wicked, the Solomonar is considered the great sorcerer of storms and winds, master of all lakes, tall mountains and deep caves, and the creator of frost, mist, and hail. Traditionally, men wore a white shirt and pants (if made of wool they are called iari) with a wide leather belt, usually over the shirt, and a vest sometimes made of leather and embroidered. Roman Sexuality Was Far More Complex Than Simply Gay Or Straight - Pompeii's House Of The Vettii Reveals Why. Here we are, arriving at the ubiquitous Zmeu (pronounced ). Some explain them as the descendants of Adam's son Seth. Ethnologists, poets, writers and historians have tried in recent centuries to collect and to preserve tales, poems, ballads and have tried to describe as well as possible the customs and habits related to different events and times of year. Let's face it. Yet the earth kept on growing to reach and protect Frtat, and thus Earth came to be. In Romanian culture, as in many others, the house represents the spiritual center of human life, the place where profane meets sacred and around which gravitates many of the intriguing creatures populating myths (stories and beliefs rooted in human's origin, often involving gods) and folklore (fictional tales and superstitions, legends . Among the Romanian culture, we can find several traditions, celebrations and rituals with references to vampire protection, which also contributes to the creation of several legends and beliefs about these creatures. This is just one of them! What a practical love! Tthe feeding method, however, may not be new at all. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I do remember being scared of this mosnter, for he was supposed to eat naughty children (which I was not!). The king begged him to join them in the world, but no matter what he offered him love, riches, kingdoms the baby refused to be born. It has similarities to many different legendary creatures, but most of all with the vampire and lycanthropes of the Slavic and Balkan region. England's Black Annis tans the skins of naughty children and wears them around her waist. They are considered to fast the year through, and thus doing humans a great service. There are many stories of men being mutilated or losing their ability to talk after discovering these beautiful but cruel creatures. And so he came to live with them for uncounted years, enjoying unearthly delights. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Many of these creatures can be both cruel and kind, depending on their whims. 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Because there is a long history of walking corpses and bloodsucking ghouls in folklore . Some similar creatures drain their victims of psychic or sexual energy, health, or qi, also known as life essence. The creature has been described as an undead man that left his grave during the night to haunt people. There is more on dragon-like creatures in the Romanian mythology in what follows. The varkolak or vyrkola or vrykolakas, also called vorvolakas or vourdoulakas, is a harmful undead creature in Slavic folklore. To preserve traditional houses, many village museums have been created in the last century throughout Romania,[5] such as the Village Museum in Bucharest, the Traditional Popular Civilisation ASTRA Museum in Sibiu or the Oltenian Village Museum in Rmnicu Vlcea. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. These giants lived in the immense woodlands and in caves. Fully grown adult chamois reaches 70-80 cm (28-31 in) in height and 107-137 cm (42-54 in) in length. His eldest daughter said I love you like honey, father, and he was very pleased. vampire, also spelled vampyre, in popular legend, a creature, often fanged, that preys upon humans, generally by consuming their blood. This is the sad tale of Meterul Manole. A boundless ocean called Apa Smbetei. It goes without saying, human heroes with supernatural powers are always there to save the day. These are the most popular and well-known stories and Romanian mythological creatures. Anyone who would have wanted to kill it had to bring a mirror in front of it so that its gaze could be reflected. Realising her to be his daughter, and finally understanding that he had been a fool, the emperor embraced her, apologising. Maybe Zburatorul adapted to our modern times and uses other ways of tormenting young womens love life. Other accounts, closer to the biblical one, suggest that the Devil and his demons were once angels of God. He is described as a shooting star, coming down through the chimney or the window, entering a girls room in the shape of an incredibly handsome man and, sometimes, in the shape of the man the girl loves. Its even capable of moving invisibly. [3] According to Christian calendar, Romanians from Banat, Transylvania, Bucovina and Maramure counties celebrate Easter of Blajini on first Monday after St. Thomas Sunday. Strigoii and Moroii are believed to drink not only the blood of a human, but to feed on its energy too. | Sep 28, 2018 | Legends and Myths, Romanian Folklore, Romanian Folklore Creatures. He is known to kidnap children and young women, and features in multiple Romanian folktales, where he kidnaps the princess and must be defeated. Their presence in Romania is well maintained by the multitude of places that were named after them: the Jidovi table, the Jidovi cave, the hill or the tombs of Jidovi, and also, there is jidovina, a measuring unit consisting of several meters, the equivalent of a giants step. They wear flowing white dresses and dance with their hair out, wild and uninhibited. Glad WP is sorted. Different from balaur or vrcolac, the Zmeu has human features. The founding father of vampire literature, Bram Stoker, introduced the cruelest Wallachian ruler of XVth century Romania to the world. Nobody knew if he was handsome or not, for he was the very first one. A Cpcun is something similar to an ogre in the Romanian folklore. The king loved his daughters very much, and when his wife died, he made sure they had every luxury and educational advantage. But the clay refused to budge until finally he gave up and called it in his brothers name of course, it immediately came to his hands. Scientists are increasingly aware that they need to improve their skills of public engagement, so as to combat scientific misinformation more effectively than they have been able to manage to date. Werewolves, vampires, capcaun, zmeu and many other mythical creatures originated in East Europe in Transylvania, Romania. I'm a maths tutor and a mechanical engineering student with a long time-interest in history. This little tale follows a king and his three daughters, long, long ago. Once upon a time, at the very beginning of the world, there was nothing but water. Jidovii are described in Romanian legends as kind and patient, walking with huge steps from one hill to another. Another prolific editor of folk tales was Petre Ispirescu, who, in the 19th century published an impressive number of volumes containing a large number of short novels and tales from popular mythology. Wood used to be the main construction material, and heavily ornamented wooden objects were common in old houses. I also found a very cool alternative version to the creation myth here, which foregoes the Christianised God and Satan for a worm and a butterfly! According to the stories, a vampire is a Strigoi possessing a bat, just like a werewolf is a Strigoi possessing a wolf. Once upon a time, at the very beginning of the world, there was nothing but water. Sources. . This is my own version of the Romanian creation story with elements taken from all. However, they are all very small bovids. Richly marked with medieval castles, cities, and ruins, Transylvania is home to 8 Myths of Romania | Popular Folklore, Legends and Tales From hauntings, vampires, nymphs and treasures, these myths of Romania will mystify you and have you adding these fantastic places to your itinerary. Cultures worldwide have passed down tales. In fact, in 2005, The Guardian covered a vampire-slaying ritual in a Romanian village, performed after deceased laborer Petra Toma's family decided he'd become a strigoi in 2003. Inspired by the breath and depth of classic action RPG and farming games,"A Viking's Quest, the Lost Continent" is an engaging, dynamic world role playing game where you experience a beautifully hand crafted world of fantasy and adventure. It is good to note, as well, that the nomadic Roma people and the Romanian people are two different cultural and ethnic groups, and this post discusses the mythology of the Romanians. Some believe they still live there, guarding treasures and living peacefully, silently in the safe mountains. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We all know the phenomenon of children having imaginary friends. As the prince walked home, he found that he was growing steadily older, until he was a crooked, white-haired man. Others attribute the earthquakes to the earth (which is alive, and can therefore feel) realising the wicked ways of humans, and trembling in fright. Ce zici? Vampires, fairies, mythological creatures, and monsters co-exist in tales and stories. Bulgarian folklore tradition keeps its beliefs into supernatural creatures towards which people have more poetic or generally pagan attitude. The Dacians were the ancestors of Romanians, and they used a fabricated dragon flag as a protection symbol during battles against the Romans. This Romanian vampire . As he slept, his trickster brother decided to push him off the edge. Three saints (usually in the persons of Enoch, John and Elijah) are said to come to earth to unveil the Devil's attempts to destroy the world, whereupon they shall be killed by decapitation. One of the creation stories in Romanian folklore explains the Genesis. The beauty and mystery of Romania have been sung by poets and painted in ink by illustrious writers, take a trip into the culture of an amazing country and see it through their eyes with a Classic Romania Tour. According to the tale of creation, God and the Devil are master and servant, the devil (Nefrtatul) being Gods foolish brother.